Sermon #1401 Miscellaneous
Sermons
Title: THE GOSPEL DEFINED
Text: Romans 1:1-7, 16-17
Subject: Paul’s
Definition of the Gospel
Date: Sunday Morning – April 23 , 2000
Tape
# V-79a
Reading: Romans
1:1-17
Introduction:
Should you go to the street corner of any city in this
country and ask those who passed by, or stand upon the doorsteps of almost any
church building and ask folks as they left the church house this morning, “What
is the gospel?” you would get a different answer from almost every person.
Almost all people define the gospel by their own experiences, thoughts, and
emotions, by their church creed, or by an opinion handed down to them by
someone else. The vast majority of men and women are not terribly dogmatic
about what the gospel is, and acknowledge that one person’s opinion, or one
churches teaching is really as good as another.
However, if you open the Word of God, you will very quickly
discover that this blessed Book everywhere asserts that there is only one
gospel, and that every rival gospel is a false gospel. Granted, the gospel is
called by many different names in the New Testament.
·
The Gospel of God
·
The Gospel of the Kingdom
·
The Gospel of Christ
·
The Gospel of the Grace of God
·
The Gospel of Peace
·
The Glorious Gospel of Christ
·
The Glorious Gospel of the Blessed God
Still, there is but one gospel, one gospel which we must
believe, if we would be saved. All other gospels are false gospels and,
therefore, no gospel at all. The Apostle Paul tells us plainly that all who
preach a false gospel are false prophets, and all who believe a false gospel
are damned by the gospel they believe.
Galatians 1:6-9 "I marvel that
ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto
another gospel: 7 Which is not another;
but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from
heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto
you, let him be accursed. 9 As we
said before, so say I now again, If any man
preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be
accursed."
In the light of these things, my subject this morning
should be of great, very great interest to us all. The title of my message is –
The
Gospel Defined. I am not going to show you the Baptist
definition of the gospel, the Calvinistic definition of the gospel, or the
Reformed definition of the gospel. I am no more interested in the Baptist
definition of the gospel than I am in the Mormon definition. I am no more
interested in the Calvinistic definition than I am in the Arminian definition.
I am no more interested in the Reformed definition of the gospel than I am in
the Catholic definition of the gospel. But I am interested in God’s definition
of the gospel, and you better be.
Turn with me to Romans 1. You will find my text in the
opening words of this inspired textbook of theology. This was not Paul’s first
inspired epistle. He wrote several before this. But the Book of Romans has been
placed first in the Pauline Epistles by divine arrangement with good reason. As Calvin put it, “When anyone
gains a knowledge of this epistle, he has an entrance opened to him to all the
most hidden treasures of Scripture.”
Paul’s primary object in this great epistle is to set forth
the foundation doctrine of Holy Scripture, the foundation doctrine of
Christianity, to set forth in clear, unmistakable light the doctrine of
justification, justification not by nature, or by law or religious ceremony,
but by the righteousness of Christ imputed to chosen, redeemed sinners by the
grace of God and received by faith in Christ.
Let’s begin in Romans 1:1
Romans 1:1 "Paul, a servant
of Jesus Christ, called to be an
apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,"
This
epistle begins in the most unadorned, self-abasing manner possible, without any
flowery pretense and show of humility, but with an evidently humble man, who
seeks nothing for himself. – “Paul.” That’s all. Just “Paul,” not “Dr. Paul,” “Rev. Paul,”
“Eld. Paul,” “Bis. Paul,” “Cardinal Paul,” “Father Paul,” Pope Paul,” or even
“Bro. Paul,” just “Paul.”
You
see, those men who are the true servants of Christ are not fond of fancy
titles. They seek no glory, honor, or praise for themselves. Paul identifies
himself in a three ways.
1. “A servant of Jesus Christ.”
This was certainly an expression of humility; but is was more than that. It was
a declaration of a recognized fact. A true gospel preacher is the minister
(servant) of Christ and his church. He considers himself indeed a willing,
loving, obedient bond slave of Jesus Christ (Exod. 21:1-6).
2. “Called to be an apostle.”
An apostle was a man who was sent by Christ, had his authority and doctrine
directly from Christ, and had the special, apostolic power to work miracles in
confirmation of his mission and authority (Heb. 2:3,4). Paul was the last
apostle, the apostle born out of due time, distinctly chosen of God to be the
apostle to the Gentiles, specifically chosen to take Judas’s place.
3. “Separated unto the gospel.”
Like Jeremiah, Paul was separated from his mother’s womb (Gal. 1:15). He was
separated by Christ to bear the gospel to Gentiles (Acts 9:15). And he was
separated by the Holy Ghost (Acts 13:2). But there is more here than his being
separated by God. This distinctly refers to Paul’s own resolve and
determination preach the gospel of God!
Here is a man fully,
deliberately dedicated to preaching the gospel (1 Cor. 1:17; 2:2). He was
determined to be faithful to his calling; and he was.
1
Corinthians 1:17 "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the
gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of
none effect."
1
Corinthians 2:2 "For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus
Christ, and him crucified."
1
Corinthians 9:16 "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of:
for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the
gospel!"
2 Timothy 4:6-8 "For I am now
ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have
finished my course, I have kept the
faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up
for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall
give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his
appearing."
All right. Stay with me in
Romans 1. Here is a fivefold definition of the gospel, given to us by God
himself through the pen of the Apostle Paul.
It is the gospel of God in
that he is the Author of it, the Executor of it, the Subject of it and the
Revealer of it.
I. First, the Holy Spirit here defines the gospel as “the gospel of God.” -- "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle,
separated unto the gospel of God.”
Again,
I remind you, I am talking about “the
gospel.” There is only one. It is defined here as “the gospel of God” for
at least these three reasons.
A. God is the Author of it.
B. God is the Subject of it.
C. God is the Revealer of it.
D. God is the Executor of it
(Eph. 1:3-14).
Ephesians 1:3-14 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of
the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the
adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure
of his will, 6 To the praise of the
glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through
his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in
all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having
made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure
which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That
in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all
things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being
predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the
counsel of his own will: 12 That we
should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your
salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy
Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the
earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession,
unto the praise of his glory."
2
Corinthians 5:18-21 "And all things are
of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given
to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To
wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing
their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of
reconciliation. 20 Now then we are
ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in
Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin
for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in
him."
Look
at verse 2.
Romans 1:2 "(Which he had
promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures.)"
This gospel of God is no new gospel. It is not a novel
doctrine. This is the gospel of peace is the everlasting gospel.
·
It was conceived in the heart of God from all eternity. It was ordained
before the world was.
·
It was hid in Christ from the beginning (Pro. 8).
·
It was revealed to the sons of men in promise, by prophets, in
pictures, in type and in ceremony throughout the Old Testament (Acts 10:43;
Heb. 1:1,2; Luke 24:44,45).
·
It was manifested by the coming of our Lord (2 Tim. 1:9,10).
2 Timothy 1:9-10 "Who hath saved
us, and called us with an holy
calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and
grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the
appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath
brought life and immortality to light through the gospel."
Now,
look at verse 3; but read verses 1 and 3 together, leaving out the
parenthetical explanation in verse 2.
Romans 1:1,3 -- "Paul, a
servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an
apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, …
3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of
David according to the flesh;"
II. Here we are given a second
definition of the gospel. Here we are told that the gospel of God is “the gospel of God concerning his Son.”
The
gospel of God is all about Christ. The gospel is not about baptism, morality,
or religious reformation and ritualism of any kind. The gospel is all about
Christ. Christ is the express and solitary subject of the gospel. Christ is the
gospel! The gospel concerns his person and his work. The whole gospel is
included in Christ; and if a man removes one step from Christ, he departs from
the gospel (2 Cor. 11:3; 1 John 5:11-13, 20).
2
Corinthians 11:3 "But I fear, lest by
any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds
should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."
1 John 5:11-13 "And this is the record, that God hath
given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you
that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have
eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."
1 John 5:20 "And we know that the Son of God is
come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true,
and we are in him that is true, even in
his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life."
A. He who is our Savior is and
must be God the Son. The
gospel identifies and owns him as such.
B. He is Jesus, the Savior (Matt. 1:21).
C. The gospel we preach is the
gospel of the Christ, God’s
Anointed One.
D. This great God, the Son,
Jesus Christ, is our Lord.
The gospel declares him Lord, the sovereign Monarch of the universe.
All
these statements refer to our Savior’s glorious divinity and godhead. But God,
absolute God, could never redeem and save fallen, sinful, guilty, condemned
men. If he would save, if ever there was to be a gospel to preach, the Son of
God must become the Son of man. Therefore we are told that…
E. The Son of God “was
made of the seed of David according to the flesh.”
These two things must be
found in Christ in order that we may obtain salvation in him: deity and
humanity (Isa. 9:6; Matt. 1:23; John 1:14). He is the Son of God, our Lord
Jesus Christ, and according to the flesh he is the seed of David (Ps. 132:11;
Luke 1:32). He is David’s son and David’s Lord.
Read
verse 4.
Romans 1:4 "And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of
holiness, by the resurrection from the dead."
F. The Lord Jesus was made a
man; but he was not made the Son of God. He was “declared to be the Son of God.”
Be sure you get this. Christ
made or became a man, the seed of David (Gal. 4:4), but he was declared to be
the Son of God (John 10:30).
1. He is declared to be the Son
of God with power (Heb. 1:2,3; Matt. 28:18; John 17:2; 5:36).
2. He was declared to be the
Son of God with power “according to the
spirit of holiness” by whom he was justified when he raised him from the
dead (1 Tim. 3:16).
3. He was declared to be the
Son of God by the resurrection from the dead.
It is upon this great fact,
the fact of his resurrection from the dead, that the whole gospel rests (1 Cor.
15:12-19).
1
Corinthians 15:12-19 "Now if Christ be
preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no
resurrection of the dead? 13 But if
there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have
testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that
the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead
rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And
if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain;
ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they
also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men
most miserable."
·
Our Lord’s resurrection from the dead declares visibly and undeniably
that he is all that he claimed.
·
His resurrection is the declaration of our justification (Rom.
4:25-5:1).
·
His resurrection from the dead is the guarantee of ours. -- He is the
first-fruit.
Let’s
move on to verse 5.
Romans 1:5 "By whom we have received grace and
apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:"
III. Here we are taught that the
gospel of God is the gospel of grace!
Here Paul reveals both his
attitude toward the ministry and the character of the gospel. He speaks of his
call to the apostleship and the purpose of his ministry, as matters of great
grace.
Ephesians 3:8 "Unto me, who am less than the least of
all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the
unsearchable riches of Christ."
It was through divine favor,
not his own worthiness, that he was chosen for such a high office (1 Cor.
15:10) for the honor and glory of the name of Christ, in whose name he went in
and in whose name he preached (Rom. 10:13-15). But the beginning of the whole
matter was grace. He received grace, all grace, from God the Father, through
the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit, just
like we have, by the gospel.
·
Grace was given to us in eternity (Eph. 1:3).
·
All this grace, all the grace of God was given to us in Christ.
·
This grace is known and experienced by the almighty, irresistible,
effectual call of God the Holy Spirit.
Romans 1:6-7 "Among whom are ye also the called of
Jesus Christ: 7 To all that be in
Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ."
Those
were the elect in eternity are the called in time. Those who were the redeemed
at Calvary are the called. They, and they only are…
·
“beloved of God.”
·
“saints” – (people made
holy).
·
beneficiaries of all grace and peace.
·
children of God “our Father.”
“Grace to you and peace from
God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”. Paul prayed that God would ever grant to
these Roman saints a continual increase of grace. Every grace is imperfect, and
those who have the most stand in need of more (2 Peter 3:18).
Peace here is peace with God
through Christ, peace in our own hearts, and peace with each other. The Father
is the Giver and Christ is the Fountain of all blessings in this life and of
all blessedness throughout eternity!
Skip
down to verse 16, and see Paul’s fourth definition of the gospel.
Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of
Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;
to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."
IV. The gospel of Christ is “the power of God unto salvation.”
Paul was not ashamed of the gospel of God’s of the
grace of God. He openly confessed it and publicly preached it to everyone. He was
not ashamed to believe it; and he was not ashamed to be identified with it. He
gloried in it (Gal. 6:14 -- T.U.L.I.P).
Some own these things in private. God’s people own them in public. Some cover
the offense of the cross with words of wisdom and human philosophy, seeking to
please men. God’s servants preach the gospel boldly and plainly. Some attempt
to add their works to his grace and mix free will with free grace. God’s
servants preach grace alone, free, sovereign, eternal grace in Christ!
Why are we not ashamed of the gospel? It is the power (dynamite)
of God unto salvation. The gospel of Christ and the preaching of that gospel
are the means God uses to…
·
bring dead sinners to life (James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23; Mark 16:15,16);
·
open blind eyes (2 Cor. 4:3-6);
·
reveal Christ (Rom. 10:13-15; 1 Cor. 15:1-4); and
·
declare salvation through Christ (Rom. 3:24-26).
Now,
look at verse 17. The gospel is…
·
the gospel of God,
·
concerning his Son,
·
a message of grace,
·
the power of God, and…
V. Fifth, the gospel of God is the revelation of righteousness.
Romans 1:17 "For therein is the righteousness of God
revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by
faith."
If we would have God’s
salvation, if we would have life with God, his righteousness must first be
found, for God is holy, just and righteous. In order to be loved by God, accepted
by God and justified before God, we must become righteous -- not by our own
deeds of righteousness, which are filthy rags, but by his righteousness (Matt.
5:20; Rom. 10:1-4).
The gospel of Christ is the
revelation of the righteousness of God (Rom. 3:25, 26). We cannot obtain
salvation anywhere but through the gospel of Christ, for therein is the
righteousness of God revealed (Rom. 5:19; 2 Cor. 5:21). This righteousness is
not known nor understood by the light of nature, but must be revealed (1 Cor.
2:9,10).
A. “Revealed from faith to faith.”
Righteousness is secured by Christ and received by faith.
“From faith to faith” means from one degree of faith to another, for
faith, like any other grace, grows.
B. “The just shall live by faith.”
This statement is found four times in Scripture (Hab. 2:4; Gal. 3:11; Heb.
10:38).
1. We begin by faith (Rom.
3:22).
2. We continue in faith (Col.
1:23).
3. And we die in faith (Heb.
11:13).
Application: Do you see the gospel? Do
you believe the gospel? Let us preach the gospel to sinners everywhere, for the
glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:1-4 "There
is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who
walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me
free from the law of sin and death. 3 For
what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending
his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the
flesh: 4 That the righteousness of
the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the
Spirit."
Illustration: -- The
Worm